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Tired of struggling with irregular verbs and declension rules? Why not put your textbook aside for a while and immerse yourself in some topnotch series from Italy? Good for advanced beginner students to old Italian language pros! (We may even throw in some Sicilian as a bonus.) All of these series are available to stream at MHz Choice. What is MHz Choice? Click here!

Detective Montalbano

MYSTERY | ITALY | ITALIAN WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | TV-14

Luca Zingaretti as Salvo Montalbano

Series Description
Murder, betrayal, office politics, temptation… it’s all in a day’s work for Detective Salvo Montalbano. Filmed in the ancient, sun-washed Sicilian city of Ragusa Ibla, the series is based on the international best-selling mystery novels by Andrea Camilleri and stars Luca Zingaretti

Why it will help your ItalianDetective Montalbano features Sicilian Italian, with its unique phrases and pronunciations. Actor Angelo Russo has the most authentic Sicilian accent, but his character, Catarella, is all about getting words mixed up, so watch out!

Nero Wolfe

Series Description
Curmudgeonly aesthete Nero Wolfe may be one of Rome’s finest investigators, but he’d rather tend to his orchids. Newly transplanted from the US, he’s ready for clients who pay well and don’t irritate him excessively. Based on the classic novels by Rex Stout.

Why it will help your ItalianWhen in Rome, speak as the Romans do… Nero Wolfe takes place in Rome, but he and his associate, Archie are supposed to be American ex-pats. To be safe, tune your ear to how the supporting and side characters speak.

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Bulletproof Heart

MYSTERY | ITALY | ITALIAN WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | TV-PG

Gigi Proietti stars in Bulletproof Heart

Series Description
Investigative journalist Bruno Palmieri throws caution to the wind and decides to overlook his fragile health and live with gusto. He’s ready to tackle new stories, eat good food again and reconnect with the love of his life.

Why it will help your ItalianBulletproof Heart is one big valentine to Rome, so the dialogue moves fast and includes references to Roman cooking in the restaurant scenes. The dazzling opening credits alone will tempt you to book a flight!

Luisa Spagnoli

Series Description
Two-part miniseries about the world-famous Italian chocolatier and fashion designer who blazed a trail for working women in the early 20th century.

Why it will help your ItalianWhat could be better than learning Italian while watching scenes of candy and chocolate creation? If ever there was a series eligible for smell-o-vision, this is it! Luisa Spagnoli is set in Perugia in the early 20th century and the language reflects that.

Inspector Coliandro

DRAMA – CRIME | ITALY | ITALIAN WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | TV-14

Giampaolo Morelli as Inspector Coliandro

Series Description
He’s one hot cop and Italy’s answer to Dirty Harry – or so he thinks! Giampaolo Morelli (Song of Napoli) stars as lovable doof Inspector Coliandro, one-part Clint Eastwood, one-part Inspector Clouseau, who along with his best friend Gargiulo works the mean streets of Bologna in a series of stylized and comic misadventures.

Why it will help your ItalianInspector Coliandro is not for the faint of ear… but if you’re interested in rounding out your lexicon with modern Bolognese slang (and plenty of expletives!) look no further. Coliandro may be an egotistic bumbler, but he’s excellent at saying what he thinks. Bestiale!

Inspector Manara

MYSTERY | ITALY | ITALIAN WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | TV-PG

Guido Caprino stars as Inspector Luca Manara

Series Description
The dazzling Guido Caprino stars as Inspector Luca Manara, a dreamy man and a supervisor’s worst nightmare. He dismisses procedure and refuses to kowtow to local power players, but he’s also without ego and a gifted investigator.

Why it will help your ItalianThe dialogue moves fast in Inspector Manara, but the lush Tuscan setting and the bubbly ensemble make for a fun ride. On-site, immersion studies, anyone? The older character, Aunt Catarina (played by veteran actress Valeria Valeri) speaks the clearest.